Audio: N.T. Wright and Bart Ehrman on The Problem of Evil
UPDATE: For all those coming over from the N.T. Wright Page, welcome. Hope you enjoy the audio. Also, take some time to look around the site. Who knows, you might find a reason to subscribe.
I just got back from San Francisco where I caught the debate/dialogue between N.T. Wright and Bart Ehrman on the topic of The Problem of Evil. I even got to meet with the good Bishop and thank him personally for his gracious endorsement of Parables of a Prodigal Son.
Had to be one of the great thrills of my life.
But anyway...without further ado, and as promised, here's the entire audio file of the event (and a few snapshots of the boys in action).
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
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Thanks for posting this. Good stuff, it must have been fascinating to attend.
I found Ehrman very likable, but as I listened to him I also felt sad. What a sad worldview. He didn't present anything new, but what he did present demonstrated the power of those particular questions.
Their discussion must have felt way to short for those of you in attendance. I wish there would have been more direct responses to the other person's statements.
I think Ehrman may have said it right when he stated that he and the Bishop seem to be reading different Bibles.
Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed it.
Mofast,
It was indeed fascinating, and we did find the format "way too short."
But the funny thing about Bart, both me and my pastor said the same thing: that he seems to be more of a Christian than most Christians. It seemed to us that he was so deeply hurt by all the pain in the world, that he had such a love for people, that he was, somehow, trying to hurt God, to fight him, for what He was "allowing" to happen to his brother and sisters.
You can catch this if you listen to his response when Wright presented the issue as "The Problem of Good." Bart's last step in his response (how he gets from random evolution to caring about people) is a clear, unapologetic "leap of faith." My pastor and I mused while imagining Bart seeing God after this life and God giving him a big hug and saying, "I know, son, I was hurting too." Prodigal son style.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
I was so bummed that I could not attend this event due to scheduling conflicts (imagine, I live in San Francisco and Wright is my favorite scholar). But I am thrilled to see that you were able to record it.
Any way we can download it? I keep accidentally browsing away from the page...
Sorry Wonders,
This was my first ever audio post, but it's fixed now. You can download it from the "MP3 File" link.
Hope that helps.
Raffi
But the funny thing about Bart, both me and my pastor said the same thing: that he seems to be more of a Christian than most Christians. It seemed to us that he was so deeply hurt by all the pain in the world, that he had such a love for people, that he was, somehow, trying to hurt God, to fight him, for what He was "allowing" to happen to his brother and sisters.
Thanks for the MP3!
The thing that struck me after listening was the despair coming from Ehrman. The questions are powerful and devastating, as always, but it makes a world of difference how one then strives with God. Moses, Jacob, and Job all strove against God for the good of the world, but somewhere within the rage at God not doing justice is the subtle and stubborn hope that Heaven will respond to the outrage. Ehrman spoke as one who grieves, but as one who has no hope.
thank you for the mp3.
Raffi,
I was hoping to find out what you used to record this debate? I am hoping to record some lectures soon and the quality is pretty good for an open air mic.
Thank you
Thanks for posting this!
In response to a few of the postings, I actually feel more sadness for Wright.
He is living in a fantasy world, like I once was, where Jesus really did usher in the Kingdom.
Wright is ignoring reality.
We need not despair because the Bible doesn't have an answer to suffering. There are other non-biblical responses.
Ehrman and Wright both briefly mention Stoicism.
I think something like a modern Stoicism may be what we really need.
One can learn much more about facing suffering from Epictetus than from the entire Bible.
Bart has issues with basic logic. He studied textual criticism so much but apparently forgot to study basic logic. His whole discussion about praying over food is a non sequitur argument. And the fact that he did not see that shows how much he needs basic logic courses.